Lennart Nacke, PhD
@lennartnacke.com
🧠 Tenured brain, fresh daily takes. Maximum citations but sanity questionable. The prof your prof follows for daily research & AI takes. Quality wins. University Research Chair & Tenured Full Professor.
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Lennart Nacke, PhD
@lennartnacke.com
· Dec 6
Mini Masterclass: How to Write a CHI Paper
Join Professor Dr. Lennart Nacke for a FREE 30-minute masterclass about How to Write a CHI Paper. Become a smarter research author and master the basics of w...
www.youtube.com
The masterclass is this Saturday, Dec 7 at 11 AM Eastern.
Join here (bookmark): www.youtube.com/live/vpj2FT...
See you tomorrow.
Join here (bookmark): www.youtube.com/live/vpj2FT...
See you tomorrow.
How I spot the winning faculty candidate...
After just one dinner conversation.
Intelligence is not the deciding factor.
Being smart alone won't get you tenure.
The problem isn't your publication list.
It’s your inability to be a colleague.
After just one dinner conversation.
Intelligence is not the deciding factor.
Being smart alone won't get you tenure.
The problem isn't your publication list.
It’s your inability to be a colleague.
November 26, 2025 at 6:00 AM
How I spot the winning faculty candidate...
After just one dinner conversation.
Intelligence is not the deciding factor.
Being smart alone won't get you tenure.
The problem isn't your publication list.
It’s your inability to be a colleague.
After just one dinner conversation.
Intelligence is not the deciding factor.
Being smart alone won't get you tenure.
The problem isn't your publication list.
It’s your inability to be a colleague.
Most researchers waste months on a systematic review
(when a rapid review would have been good enough.)
Two review types. Same question.
Completely different amount of work.
According to this paper, 14 literature review types exist.
If you get started, focus on 2 main types:
(when a rapid review would have been good enough.)
Two review types. Same question.
Completely different amount of work.
According to this paper, 14 literature review types exist.
If you get started, focus on 2 main types:
November 25, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Most researchers waste months on a systematic review
(when a rapid review would have been good enough.)
Two review types. Same question.
Completely different amount of work.
According to this paper, 14 literature review types exist.
If you get started, focus on 2 main types:
(when a rapid review would have been good enough.)
Two review types. Same question.
Completely different amount of work.
According to this paper, 14 literature review types exist.
If you get started, focus on 2 main types:
Hot PhD Tip:
Manage your supervisor.
Don’t wait for them to chase you.
Instead, send weekly updates and specific questions.
Get them to actually read your draft.
Manage your supervisor.
Don’t wait for them to chase you.
Instead, send weekly updates and specific questions.
Get them to actually read your draft.
November 24, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Hot PhD Tip:
Manage your supervisor.
Don’t wait for them to chase you.
Instead, send weekly updates and specific questions.
Get them to actually read your draft.
Manage your supervisor.
Don’t wait for them to chase you.
Instead, send weekly updates and specific questions.
Get them to actually read your draft.
Most people think learning Epistemology takes 10,000 hours.
But I can explain it to you in 30 seconds.
A quick breakdown on:
• What is knowledge?
• How do you know it?
• Why should I believe you?
Let’s dive in…
But I can explain it to you in 30 seconds.
A quick breakdown on:
• What is knowledge?
• How do you know it?
• Why should I believe you?
Let’s dive in…
November 24, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Most people think learning Epistemology takes 10,000 hours.
But I can explain it to you in 30 seconds.
A quick breakdown on:
• What is knowledge?
• How do you know it?
• Why should I believe you?
Let’s dive in…
But I can explain it to you in 30 seconds.
A quick breakdown on:
• What is knowledge?
• How do you know it?
• Why should I believe you?
Let’s dive in…
Ways a PhD makes your life better:
Ability to tolerate boredom.
Critical thinking skills.
Deep resilience.
Telling the flight attendant you're not that kind of doctor.
Every person should try it
(and half should quit).
Ability to tolerate boredom.
Critical thinking skills.
Deep resilience.
Telling the flight attendant you're not that kind of doctor.
Every person should try it
(and half should quit).
November 24, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Ways a PhD makes your life better:
Ability to tolerate boredom.
Critical thinking skills.
Deep resilience.
Telling the flight attendant you're not that kind of doctor.
Every person should try it
(and half should quit).
Ability to tolerate boredom.
Critical thinking skills.
Deep resilience.
Telling the flight attendant you're not that kind of doctor.
Every person should try it
(and half should quit).
You can accomplish a PhD defence if you…
• Pick a research-active supervisor.
• Don't act like a snowflake.
• Write (almost) every day.
• Narrow your topic early.
Congrats.
You are now a Doctor.
• Pick a research-active supervisor.
• Don't act like a snowflake.
• Write (almost) every day.
• Narrow your topic early.
Congrats.
You are now a Doctor.
November 23, 2025 at 7:02 PM
You can accomplish a PhD defence if you…
• Pick a research-active supervisor.
• Don't act like a snowflake.
• Write (almost) every day.
• Narrow your topic early.
Congrats.
You are now a Doctor.
• Pick a research-active supervisor.
• Don't act like a snowflake.
• Write (almost) every day.
• Narrow your topic early.
Congrats.
You are now a Doctor.
People think starting a PhD is:
• Virtuous flashes of insight.
• Coffee shop discussions.
• Intellectual purity.
What it actually is:
• Managing depression.
• Formatting citations.
• Getting things done.
That’s literally it.
• Virtuous flashes of insight.
• Coffee shop discussions.
• Intellectual purity.
What it actually is:
• Managing depression.
• Formatting citations.
• Getting things done.
That’s literally it.
November 23, 2025 at 12:16 PM
People think starting a PhD is:
• Virtuous flashes of insight.
• Coffee shop discussions.
• Intellectual purity.
What it actually is:
• Managing depression.
• Formatting citations.
• Getting things done.
That’s literally it.
• Virtuous flashes of insight.
• Coffee shop discussions.
• Intellectual purity.
What it actually is:
• Managing depression.
• Formatting citations.
• Getting things done.
That’s literally it.
Most researchers lose readers in the first 100 words.
Here’s how to write an abstract that actually gets read:
After reviewing 100+ papers,
here’s the formula I give my students.
Write an abstract that will get your paper noticed.
An abstract isn’t just a summary.
Here’s how to write an abstract that actually gets read:
After reviewing 100+ papers,
here’s the formula I give my students.
Write an abstract that will get your paper noticed.
An abstract isn’t just a summary.
November 23, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Most researchers lose readers in the first 100 words.
Here’s how to write an abstract that actually gets read:
After reviewing 100+ papers,
here’s the formula I give my students.
Write an abstract that will get your paper noticed.
An abstract isn’t just a summary.
Here’s how to write an abstract that actually gets read:
After reviewing 100+ papers,
here’s the formula I give my students.
Write an abstract that will get your paper noticed.
An abstract isn’t just a summary.
I am obsessed with learning about research methodology.
So I went and devoured 50 years of academic advice.
The result?
I walked away with 3 timeless principles
(from the greatest scholars in the world.)
Here are the golden takeaways:
So I went and devoured 50 years of academic advice.
The result?
I walked away with 3 timeless principles
(from the greatest scholars in the world.)
Here are the golden takeaways:
November 22, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I am obsessed with learning about research methodology.
So I went and devoured 50 years of academic advice.
The result?
I walked away with 3 timeless principles
(from the greatest scholars in the world.)
Here are the golden takeaways:
So I went and devoured 50 years of academic advice.
The result?
I walked away with 3 timeless principles
(from the greatest scholars in the world.)
Here are the golden takeaways:
There are a gazillion ways to waste time online.
(Everyone knows how to doom-scroll.)
But if you want to save time and accomplish
10x more, here are 3 tools that will make your
Internet time more productive:
(Everyone knows how to doom-scroll.)
But if you want to save time and accomplish
10x more, here are 3 tools that will make your
Internet time more productive:
November 22, 2025 at 5:59 AM
There are a gazillion ways to waste time online.
(Everyone knows how to doom-scroll.)
But if you want to save time and accomplish
10x more, here are 3 tools that will make your
Internet time more productive:
(Everyone knows how to doom-scroll.)
But if you want to save time and accomplish
10x more, here are 3 tools that will make your
Internet time more productive:
The most confident thing you can say in your viva:
"That's exactly the tension I grappled with. Given the constraint, I had three options..."
Then lay them out.
Explain your choices.
Acknowledge the trade-offs.
"That's exactly the tension I grappled with. Given the constraint, I had three options..."
Then lay them out.
Explain your choices.
Acknowledge the trade-offs.
November 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The most confident thing you can say in your viva:
"That's exactly the tension I grappled with. Given the constraint, I had three options..."
Then lay them out.
Explain your choices.
Acknowledge the trade-offs.
"That's exactly the tension I grappled with. Given the constraint, I had three options..."
Then lay them out.
Explain your choices.
Acknowledge the trade-offs.
Hot take:
You need at least 10 rejections to get academic skin.
Not thick skin that feels nothing.
Academic skin that feels all but keeps working.
Rejections 1-3:
Existential crisis
Rejections 4-6:
Anger and blame
Rejections 7-9:
Grudging acceptance
Rejection 10+:
Okay, WTF can I learn here?
You need at least 10 rejections to get academic skin.
Not thick skin that feels nothing.
Academic skin that feels all but keeps working.
Rejections 1-3:
Existential crisis
Rejections 4-6:
Anger and blame
Rejections 7-9:
Grudging acceptance
Rejection 10+:
Okay, WTF can I learn here?
November 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Hot take:
You need at least 10 rejections to get academic skin.
Not thick skin that feels nothing.
Academic skin that feels all but keeps working.
Rejections 1-3:
Existential crisis
Rejections 4-6:
Anger and blame
Rejections 7-9:
Grudging acceptance
Rejection 10+:
Okay, WTF can I learn here?
You need at least 10 rejections to get academic skin.
Not thick skin that feels nothing.
Academic skin that feels all but keeps working.
Rejections 1-3:
Existential crisis
Rejections 4-6:
Anger and blame
Rejections 7-9:
Grudging acceptance
Rejection 10+:
Okay, WTF can I learn here?
Most research dies before it ever reaches a journal
And it’s completely avoidable.
The real reason your thesis never becomes a paper
isn’t quality but bad strategy.
I’ve helped more than 100 students turn theses into accepted papers.
After 15 years supervising graduate researchers,
And it’s completely avoidable.
The real reason your thesis never becomes a paper
isn’t quality but bad strategy.
I’ve helped more than 100 students turn theses into accepted papers.
After 15 years supervising graduate researchers,
November 21, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Most research dies before it ever reaches a journal
And it’s completely avoidable.
The real reason your thesis never becomes a paper
isn’t quality but bad strategy.
I’ve helped more than 100 students turn theses into accepted papers.
After 15 years supervising graduate researchers,
And it’s completely avoidable.
The real reason your thesis never becomes a paper
isn’t quality but bad strategy.
I’ve helped more than 100 students turn theses into accepted papers.
After 15 years supervising graduate researchers,
3 must-have PhD skills everyone should know:
1. Reference Management (Zotero or bust)
2. Academic Bulls*1t Detection
3. The ability to say NEIN to extra teaching hours.
1. Reference Management (Zotero or bust)
2. Academic Bulls*1t Detection
3. The ability to say NEIN to extra teaching hours.
November 21, 2025 at 6:00 AM
3 must-have PhD skills everyone should know:
1. Reference Management (Zotero or bust)
2. Academic Bulls*1t Detection
3. The ability to say NEIN to extra teaching hours.
1. Reference Management (Zotero or bust)
2. Academic Bulls*1t Detection
3. The ability to say NEIN to extra teaching hours.
If you are 50+ and you want a PhD:
Stop screwing around.
Choose "Narrow Topic" over "World Peace."
Choose "Submission" over "Hesitation."
Choose "Finished" over "Perfect."
Choose "Writing" over "Reading."
In the short-term, you’ll look cray.
In the long term, you’ll be Dr. Whatchamacallit.
Stop screwing around.
Choose "Narrow Topic" over "World Peace."
Choose "Submission" over "Hesitation."
Choose "Finished" over "Perfect."
Choose "Writing" over "Reading."
In the short-term, you’ll look cray.
In the long term, you’ll be Dr. Whatchamacallit.
November 20, 2025 at 7:04 PM
If you are 50+ and you want a PhD:
Stop screwing around.
Choose "Narrow Topic" over "World Peace."
Choose "Submission" over "Hesitation."
Choose "Finished" over "Perfect."
Choose "Writing" over "Reading."
In the short-term, you’ll look cray.
In the long term, you’ll be Dr. Whatchamacallit.
Stop screwing around.
Choose "Narrow Topic" over "World Peace."
Choose "Submission" over "Hesitation."
Choose "Finished" over "Perfect."
Choose "Writing" over "Reading."
In the short-term, you’ll look cray.
In the long term, you’ll be Dr. Whatchamacallit.
90% of desk rejections happen for one reason.
The research question fails the "So What?" test.
The problem isn’t your literature review or methods.
It’s a research question that lacks a spine.
An excellent RQ is the backbone.
It drives your method.
It defines your contribution.
The research question fails the "So What?" test.
The problem isn’t your literature review or methods.
It’s a research question that lacks a spine.
An excellent RQ is the backbone.
It drives your method.
It defines your contribution.
November 20, 2025 at 12:17 PM
90% of desk rejections happen for one reason.
The research question fails the "So What?" test.
The problem isn’t your literature review or methods.
It’s a research question that lacks a spine.
An excellent RQ is the backbone.
It drives your method.
It defines your contribution.
The research question fails the "So What?" test.
The problem isn’t your literature review or methods.
It’s a research question that lacks a spine.
An excellent RQ is the backbone.
It drives your method.
It defines your contribution.
Me at 25:
• Unpublished
• Ambitious
• Naïve
Me at 45:
• Tenured
• Funded
• Cynical
20 years can change the whole shebang.
Don’t give up.
But maybe lower your expectations of fun stuff.
• Unpublished
• Ambitious
• Naïve
Me at 45:
• Tenured
• Funded
• Cynical
20 years can change the whole shebang.
Don’t give up.
But maybe lower your expectations of fun stuff.
November 20, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Me at 25:
• Unpublished
• Ambitious
• Naïve
Me at 45:
• Tenured
• Funded
• Cynical
20 years can change the whole shebang.
Don’t give up.
But maybe lower your expectations of fun stuff.
• Unpublished
• Ambitious
• Naïve
Me at 45:
• Tenured
• Funded
• Cynical
20 years can change the whole shebang.
Don’t give up.
But maybe lower your expectations of fun stuff.
5 hacks for better research productivity:
• Ignore irrelevant literature.
• Pick a manageable topic.
• Enjoy the misery.
• Write every day.
• Stop whining.
Turns out, the only real productivity hacks aren’t really hacks at all.
They're just discipline.
• Ignore irrelevant literature.
• Pick a manageable topic.
• Enjoy the misery.
• Write every day.
• Stop whining.
Turns out, the only real productivity hacks aren’t really hacks at all.
They're just discipline.
November 20, 2025 at 5:56 AM
5 hacks for better research productivity:
• Ignore irrelevant literature.
• Pick a manageable topic.
• Enjoy the misery.
• Write every day.
• Stop whining.
Turns out, the only real productivity hacks aren’t really hacks at all.
They're just discipline.
• Ignore irrelevant literature.
• Pick a manageable topic.
• Enjoy the misery.
• Write every day.
• Stop whining.
Turns out, the only real productivity hacks aren’t really hacks at all.
They're just discipline.
Feeling stuck on your dissertation?
Simple solution:
No email.
No casual teaching.
No cleaning the kitchen.
Just you, your discipline, and your headphones.
It works every time.
Simple solution:
No email.
No casual teaching.
No cleaning the kitchen.
Just you, your discipline, and your headphones.
It works every time.
November 20, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Feeling stuck on your dissertation?
Simple solution:
No email.
No casual teaching.
No cleaning the kitchen.
Just you, your discipline, and your headphones.
It works every time.
Simple solution:
No email.
No casual teaching.
No cleaning the kitchen.
Just you, your discipline, and your headphones.
It works every time.
Google just killed keyword search
But most researchers haven’t noticed yet.
That's a mistake.
The era of guessing keywords is over.
Google released Gemini 3 yesterday and it's amazing.
But Scholar Labs changes how gaps are discovered.
But most researchers haven’t noticed yet.
That's a mistake.
The era of guessing keywords is over.
Google released Gemini 3 yesterday and it's amazing.
But Scholar Labs changes how gaps are discovered.
November 19, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Google just killed keyword search
But most researchers haven’t noticed yet.
That's a mistake.
The era of guessing keywords is over.
Google released Gemini 3 yesterday and it's amazing.
But Scholar Labs changes how gaps are discovered.
But most researchers haven’t noticed yet.
That's a mistake.
The era of guessing keywords is over.
Google released Gemini 3 yesterday and it's amazing.
But Scholar Labs changes how gaps are discovered.
What I thought would make me a Successful Researcher™:
• Changing the world
• Intellectual glory
• Discovery
What actually makes me happy:
• Positive feedback from the Dean
• Data that doesn't suck
• A finished draft
Everyone chases the 1st list.
But it usually ends in disappointment.
• Changing the world
• Intellectual glory
• Discovery
What actually makes me happy:
• Positive feedback from the Dean
• Data that doesn't suck
• A finished draft
Everyone chases the 1st list.
But it usually ends in disappointment.
November 19, 2025 at 9:07 PM
What I thought would make me a Successful Researcher™:
• Changing the world
• Intellectual glory
• Discovery
What actually makes me happy:
• Positive feedback from the Dean
• Data that doesn't suck
• A finished draft
Everyone chases the 1st list.
But it usually ends in disappointment.
• Changing the world
• Intellectual glory
• Discovery
What actually makes me happy:
• Positive feedback from the Dean
• Data that doesn't suck
• A finished draft
Everyone chases the 1st list.
But it usually ends in disappointment.
Goal for this week:
Deliver one valuable product for academics each day until Monday at Black Friday pricepoints.
Watch it unfold here: stan.store/lennartnacke
Deliver one valuable product for academics each day until Monday at Black Friday pricepoints.
Watch it unfold here: stan.store/lennartnacke
Lennart Nacke (@lennartnacke) | Stan
Stan | Linksite
www.stan.store
November 19, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Goal for this week:
Deliver one valuable product for academics each day until Monday at Black Friday pricepoints.
Watch it unfold here: stan.store/lennartnacke
Deliver one valuable product for academics each day until Monday at Black Friday pricepoints.
Watch it unfold here: stan.store/lennartnacke
Most researchers still build presentations the slow way.
This session shows the faster route.
AI for Research Presentations with NotebookLM, Gamma, and Gemini
on Thu, Nov 20, 2025, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Eastern Time)
This session shows the faster route.
AI for Research Presentations with NotebookLM, Gamma, and Gemini
on Thu, Nov 20, 2025, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Eastern Time)
November 18, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Most researchers still build presentations the slow way.
This session shows the faster route.
AI for Research Presentations with NotebookLM, Gamma, and Gemini
on Thu, Nov 20, 2025, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Eastern Time)
This session shows the faster route.
AI for Research Presentations with NotebookLM, Gamma, and Gemini
on Thu, Nov 20, 2025, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Eastern Time)
Your rejection email is data, not a death sentence.
Mine it like a researcher:
• What specific issues appear across reviews?
• Which sections consistently confuse readers?
• Where do reviewers disagree with each other?
Reviewer disagreement is particularly valuable.
Mine it like a researcher:
• What specific issues appear across reviews?
• Which sections consistently confuse readers?
• Where do reviewers disagree with each other?
Reviewer disagreement is particularly valuable.
November 16, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Your rejection email is data, not a death sentence.
Mine it like a researcher:
• What specific issues appear across reviews?
• Which sections consistently confuse readers?
• Where do reviewers disagree with each other?
Reviewer disagreement is particularly valuable.
Mine it like a researcher:
• What specific issues appear across reviews?
• Which sections consistently confuse readers?
• Where do reviewers disagree with each other?
Reviewer disagreement is particularly valuable.